The Forbidden

Poems from Iran and its Exiles

Sholeh Wolpé

Publication Year: 2012

During the 1979 revolution, Iranians from all walks of life, whether Muslim, Jewish, Christian, socialist, or atheist, fought side-by-side to end one tyrannical regime, only to find themselves in the clutches of another. When Khomeini came to power, freedom of the press was eliminated, religious tolerance disappeared, women’s rights narrowed to fit within a conservative interpretation of the Quran, and non-Islamic music and literature were banned. Poets, writers, and artists were driven deep underground and, in many cases, out of the country altogether. This moving anthology is a testament to both the centuries-old tradition of Persian poetry and the enduring will of the Iranian people to resist injustice. The poems selected for this collection represent the young, the old, and the ancient. They are written by poets who call or have called Iran home, many of whom have become part of a diverse and thriving diaspora.

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgments

A Note to the Reader

Introduction

One Saturday afternoon while walking down Melrose Avenue in Los
Angeles, I gave into the urge to stop people at random and ask them
what came to their minds when I mentioned Iran. Here are some of
their responses: Islamic government, human rights violations, a nuclear...

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